Nico Rosberg dwelled on the multiple driver errors during the Italian Grand Prix that handed the race win to team-mate and championship rival Lewis Hamilton.
Rosberg, who lined up 2nd on the grid behind pole-sitter Hamilton, snatched the lead at the race start when Hamilton made a poor getaway due to clutch problems. The German had a comfortable gap at the front but gave away time after taking to the run-off when locking-up at the Retfillio Chicane and still held the lead, but the repeat of the first error proved more costly to his hopes of extending his championship lead as it resulted in him giving away the race lead and ultimately the win to Hamilton.
Rosberg leaves Monza with his 29 point advantage in the championship cut to 22 and was by no means disappointed in the advantages he gifted to Hamilton when trying to respond to his closest rival’s advances.
“Lewis was just quick coming from behind so I needed to up my pace as a result and I just went into a mistake” Rosberg commented on the errors, “it was very bad,”.
“And that lost me the lead in the end, so it’s definitely very disappointing from that point of view. Monza is one of the most difficult tracks for braking because of the low downforce and the highest speed of the year.”
The championship leader conceded that there were nothing more than errors on his part but looked at the positives, which includes him still having the initiative in the championship battle with Hamilton.
“It isn’t an excuse, it is what it is. It is one of the challenges here and unfortunately I got it wrong two times in the race.” said Rosberg.
“Of course I am disappointed right afterwards, but it’s still second, still a lot of points, so it is not a complete disaster,”
“I need to look at reality, there is worse than that – and I only lost seven points to Lewis.”
